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Description: | Ms account (49pp) titled 'An Attempt to Escape From Central Germany, May 3rd 1916', recalling his experiences as a prisoner of war from the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers captured in August 1914, beginning on 10 April 1916 with his transfer from Dyrotz Westermark POW camp to Botgow, undergoing forced labour, the prevalence of vermin and mosquitoes, lack of rations, improved conditions after a visit from the American Ambassador, his escape with Private Bolton of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during which they evaded guards, spent several nights in woodland, passed a group of French POWs and were shot at by civilians, journey to Fustenberg and Mirow before being recaptured at a farm, time in captivity in Mirow police station before their return to Dyrotz camp and solitary confinement, work parties which he attempted to miss by acting insane, his transfer to a Berlin asylum and, after six months, was repatriated to England via Holland with four others, spending further time in a mental hospital before being discharged. Together with ms notes of English to French words (7pp) and some sketches; plus the printed message from HM King George V to returning prisoners of war; and a photograph of Gudgeon in uniform (pre 1914).
Cataloguer AJC | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers British Army | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Gudgeon, William | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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